Sunny Scammon Bay

April 14, 2015

Gorgeous day flying into Scammon Bay.

Gorgeous day flying into Scammon Bay.

 

Finally a sunny day! And what a view flying from Chevak to Scammon Bay. We deserve this after five days of snow and fog.

The school at Scammon Bay is built on a hill. The truck that brought us up barely made it with us and gear and new snow on the ground.

Scammon Bay School parking lot.

Scammon Bay School parking lot.

It’s easy to get a sledding party together in Scammon Bay. Just go out with sleds and a pack of children and dogs appear out of nowhere. Serious fun!

 

scammonsledding2

IMG_0365

Plenty of hills to go around in Scammon Bay.

Yesterday was a busy day of workshops, with Winter Bear teaching artists leading 12 different classes in Inupiaq Dance, Hip Hop, Movement, and Theatre Games.

Actor Brían Wescott (Sidney) helps some 2nd graders out in Inupiaq Dance class.

Actor Brían Wescott (Sidney) helps some 2nd graders out in Inupiaq Dance class.

Like other schools in this area, many signs around the building are in Yup’ik and English, with certain rooms and classtimes devoted to preserving Yup’ik culture.

signIMG_0490

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a busy school day, The Winter Bear enjoyed performing for a very engaged all-ages audience. Afterwards, many children came up to dance with us during curtain call!

Actors Jake and Brían during our Curtain Call dance, "Pulling From Within." Photo by Missy Rivers.

Actors Jake and Brían during our Curtain Call dance, “Pulling From Within.” Photo by Missy Rivers.

Actors Brían and Sarah are pretty thrilled about their Scammon Bay swag.

Actors Brían and Sarah are pretty thrilled about their Scammon Bay swag.

The cast enjoys a post-show sunset.  Photo by Brían Wescott.

The cast enjoys a post-show sunset. Photo by Brían Wescott.

-Anne Hanley (Playwright/Producer)

Student Workshops in Chevak

April 11, 2015

The Winter Bear team is currently enjoying a relaxing day off in the Chevak school library.

naaq

Naaqtuuq Dommek shares laughs during her Inupiaq Dance class.

Yesterday was our first busy day teaching workshops for students of all ages.  The morning began with Naaq Dommek‘s Inupiaq Dance class. Naaq, originally from Kotzebue, taught three dances: “Getting Ready to Dance,” “Basketball,” and “Ah-ha-ha-ha.”  There was something for everyone to enjoy!

Click here to watch a video of the Basketball Dance!

Director Erick Robertson wraps up a Theatre Games session.

Director Erick Robertson wraps up a Theatre Games session.


Winter Bear teaching artists also led Theatre Games sessions throughout the day.  Oftentimes we would encounter a reluctant group of teens who were not shy about expressing their skepticism.  By the end of the hour, however, these same “cool kids” were full of giggles and hilarious ideas during improv games like “What Are You Doing?” and “Park Bench.”

It’s always fun to work with students on the day of a performance, because they recognize the actors in the play later that evening. Many students hung around after the show to take pictures with actors.  I may have even given a piggy-back ride or two!

Raven (Sarah Mitchell) selfie!

Raven (Sarah Mitchell) selfie!

Lynx (Kadey Ambrose) with some fans.

Lynx (Kadey Ambrose) with some fans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a day of rest in Chevak (we may go so far as to walk to the dump if we are feeling adventurous), it’s off to Scammon Bay for our 3rd show. Let’s hope the weather cooperates — we have heard that Scammon can prove a tricky destination on windy days.

-Sarah Mitchell (Raven / Assistant Producer)

 

Gearing Up for the Cama-i Festival

As The Winter Bear performs in surrounding communities of Hooper Bay, Chevak, and Scammon Bay, the community of Bethel is busily preparing for the 2015 Cama-i Festival.

Cama-i is one of the largest cultural events in our state, and The Winter Bear crew is delighted to be performing in advance of the festival on April 15 & 16 at 7p.m. at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center.

We will also be teaching workshops at the following times at Cama-i, which takes place at Bethel Regional High School. All of The Winter Bear events are completely free.

  • Friday, April 17 at 7:00 p.m. – Theatre Games
  • Saturday, April 18 at 2:00 p.m. – Hip Hop Dance
  • Saturday, April 18 at 5:00 p.m. – Acting & Auditioning

***Click here to read Alaska Dispatch’s preview of this grand event.***

2014 Cama-i Festival

2014 Cama-i Festival